The latest from Orlando theme parks

Arthur Frommer

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, August 14, 2005

What's new in Orlando, Fla., and vicinity? If you haven't been there for several years, you'll want to know about eight recent developments:

-- Bigger-than-usual off-season discounts: During last year's off-season (lowest prices are from Aug. 28 to Oct. 4), hurricane-battered Disney World was charging $59 a night (1994 prices) at its motel-quality "value" resorts (the All-Star and Pop Century resorts), and there's no reason not to expect similar markdowns late this summer. AAA members can often save as much as 20 percent more off the "value" resorts, so if you're a member, ask.

-- Ambiguous ticket pricing: Such deep discounts have been offset somewhat by ticket-price hikes. Last January, Walt Disney World (www. waltdisneyworld.com) implemented a new ticketing system, dubbed "Magic Your Way." (If you pay attention, you'll notice that Disney never advertises without the word "magic" somewhere in the script.)

Although the Mouse claims the system makes tickets less expensive than they used to be, for that fact to be true you'd have to commit to staying for five days or more. Indeed, the new pricing system increases one-day tickets by $5, to $59.75 for guests over the age of 9.

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-- New attractions: It's not all bad news at Disney World, though. This year, to promote the 50th anniversary of the opening of its sister theme park in Anaheim, the Orlando resort has opened a handful of new attractions. The best of them are: Soarin', a family-friendly "ride" at Epcot that gives the sensation of flying in front of an enormous movie of California's natural wonders; and Lights, Motors, Action, an adrenaline-fueled car stunt show held in a new 5,000-seat amphitheater at Disney-MGM Studios.

-- Easy arrival transfers: The resort has also launched a program called Disney's Magical Express, in which guests at Disney-run hotels can be fetched from the airport by bus, leaving their baggage behind to be portered by Disney staff. The service is free through the 18-month anniversary celebration. It saves $17 each way, per person, from booking a similar shuttle separately.

-- Improvements at Disney's competitors: Universal Studios, Disney's Orlando nemesis, has already struck back. Its partner, the TV kids' channel Nickelodeon, is the theme for a splashy new 777-unit hotel, the Nickelodeon Family Suites (866-462-6425, www.nickhotel.com), an old Holiday Inn a mile from Disney's gates that reopened in May.

Unlike most Orlando hotels, which are pretty much crash pads for theme- park guests, families at the Suites barely need to leave the premises for amusement: There are two elaborate waterslide areas, a theater mounting free, live game shows for guests, a 3,000-square-foot food court, wandering characters such as Dora the Explorer and SpongeBob SquarePants and even breakfasts with beloved children's characters (which up to now was a Disney staple).

Rooms are suites complete with kitchenettes -- kids get their own bunk area with free videogames, and parents get a bedroom door that closes. All this comes at a price: Suites start at about $169 for a one-bedroom unit sleeping six, as opposed to $85 for a kitchenless shoebox for four on Disney grounds. But even for parents unwilling to shell out for extra space and save money cooking for themselves, the hotel's critical success marks a major change in how Orlando will cater to children in the future. Expect options to increase and prices to drop as other hoteliers mimic its success.

-- The Gardens are back: Another new development in the area is, in fact, the rebirth of something old: Cypress Gardens Adventure Park (863-324-2111, www.cypressgardens.com), just southwest of Orlando. The once-sleepy granddaddy of all Florida parks, and of modern theme parks in general, opened in 1936 but nearly met the bulldozer two years ago. A Georgia businessman came to the rescue, injected millions of dollars and rejuvenated it with a slate of new thrill rides; it now has 38 in all. So far, its operators report higher-than- projected attendance. This fall it will add a waterslide park.

-- In nearby Tampa: Roller coaster aficionados now have another reason to visit Busch Gardens Tampa Bay (www.buschgardens.com). On May 21, the park opened the tallest roller coaster in Florida, SheiKra, which towers 200 feet and drops riders almost straight down.

-- Orlando's budget world: For the most affordable (if not the most up-to- date) digs, the go-to location is still Kissimmee, the municipality located a few miles east of Disney World on U.S, 192. Log on to www.floridakiss.com and click on "Hot Deals" for the latest enticements, such as $39.95 for a motel room at the Travelodge Suites Kissimmee Maingate, located about 4 miles from Disney's campus.

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